A somber ceremony was held Thursday in New Castle as officers gathered for the annual Police Memorial Service.

All fallen law enforcement officers from Lawrence County were remembered in honor of National Police Week.

During the ceremony, bagpipes played as a wreath was laid at a memorial listing five local officers who died in the line of duty.

A sixth name will soon be added, that of Shenango Township Officer Jerry McCarthy who died May 2 when he was hit during a police chase.

“Not too often are there names on that wall that we actually know, are friends with, worked with,” said Chief Robert Salem with the New Castle Police Department. “This year, more than any other, the memorial hit home.”

The last time an officer was killed in the line of duty in Lawrence County was in 1932.

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